Shotlist

Shows the most commonly used up-to-date methods of hog raising and includes suggestions on breeding, feeding, farrowing and management.
Ken Smith says: Most films for farmers are boring. So is this one, but it IS about pigs.
The film opens with footage of giant hogs waddling in pens while horns blow fanfares on the soundtrack and an announcer intones: "It is thanks to the hundreds of hog farmers throughout the country that modern American markets are able to offer pork products with confidence and in ever-increasing quantities." We are introduced to Bernard Ebbing, a "swine specialist" at the Waterloo, Iowa, Swine Evaluation Station. Mr. Ebbing wears a long-sleeved white shirt and skinny necktie as he tussles with one of the giant pigs. Sadly, his on-screen time is brief, and he spends the bulk of the film narrating -- in a mechanical monotone -- our journey through several model Iowa pig farms.
The far-seeing owners of these farms are to be emulated, Mr. Ebbing tells us, because they have made extensive use of watering tanks, self-feeders and portable wallows -- all made out of steel, by the way (note the sponsor) -- in their pig farming operations. The camera slowly pans across an overflowing trench leading to an all-steel "manure lagoon" to show us yet another application of modern steel technology.
Mr. Ebbing concludes: "The job you do in breeding, farrowing, feeding and management is reflected in the tonnage and quality of pork you market!" In the background we see trucks loaded with squealing pigs heading off to the slaughterhouse. The fanfare returns and the credits roll.
The best thing about this film is its soundtrack, which the audio department at Jam Handy packed with a continuous, mind-altering cacophony of dubbed-in squeals and grunts.
Hogs in fields
A pan of hogs in separate pens through the gates
A man slaps the back of a hog
A man washes a hog with a scrub brush
Piglets in a pen
Suckling baby pigs
Pigs feeding at troughs
Manure being washed in a stream to collection facilities

Reviews

Very matter of fact presentation showing the various methods for raising pigs from before birth to the time they are shipped to market. Getting rid of pig shit and urine is important. They are more delicate than one would think - especially when young. Interesting film and well done. One of my faves.

This film, which is sponsored by United States Steel, Jem Handy AND several packing companies. gets down and dirty with the modern ways of caring for your pigs while preparing them for slaughter. From breeding, sheltering (they apprently get beds) to rather unasked for methods of handling pig sh.. manure. this is quite a reoccuring topic in this film, so get ready to see pits and pits of manure in all it's lovely browness.